Fireworks and Snow...

The perfect DisneyLand Fireworks.. Just want to share it with all of you... It's in good quality too...

DisneyLand Castle Video..

For those who read my previous post, I promised you the video of the castle...

This video is not mine actually, but when I compared this video with mine, this one is way much better in quality. Oh, and this video is from last year's Christmas, but disneyland didn't change anything, even the song. I tried to search for this year's video, but none compared to this one. You can look it up yourself in youtube if you want to, and if you found one better than this one, and it's displayed this year, put the url in the comment box. I would really appreciate it..



Right at the end of the singing, the fake snow start to fall... It was magical.. I got goosebumps when I watch the display... Not to make you jealous, but it's 100 times better when you see it live...

Enjoy!!

The Trip : Review...

Hiyaa everybody!!!
Having trouble sleeping today, since I've been sleeping until 8 o'clock at night. I don't know why, but I think today is the perfect snoozing and napping day...
So, here I am, eyes wide open in front of my PC, looking for something to do.
And then I realized.. I haven't give y'all the thing I promised a month ago.
My LA trip story!
So, here I go babbling in the middle of the night...

First of all, I never thought that a five hour drive to LA would be very short, at least for the people in my car. (Fiona, JC, Victor, if you are reading this, please laugh, coz you guys know what I mean... tell me quando, quando, quando.... =P ).
and believe me, it's one of the best thing that happened during the trip.
Here are some factors why the drive went by so quickly :
1. Through the whole night, we turned the music on as loud as we could, sang insanely to each other.
2. Thanks to the caffeine from all the starbucks our driver's drink, we were going so fast, the fastest I saw was 130 miles/hour!!!! In a THICK MIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I checked my seatbelt every 5 seconds...
3. Adrenaline rush, because my strangely smart driver had to wait until the gas tank light went on to start searching for a gas station... And unfortunately, we were in the middle of nowhere..
I was sweating in that cold, foggy night.
I must tell you, I never pray that much in one day...

At last, LA... But it was 3 am when we arrived there.
We booked the hotel for 12 pm, so, 9 hours to kill...
For 9 hour we wondered around LA, searching for tourist attractions.
And nothing's better than a warm light from the sunrise at Malibu beach to begin our trip..

To dirty ourselves even more than we already were, we went to Santa Monica Beach, played catch with the guys, strolled along the coastline, and buried our feet deep in wet sand..
A grand intro for the trip, isn't it?

Here's the hardest and most thrilling part in the trip. Getting into the hotel.
Believe me, if you and your friends are too stingy and decided to stuff 1 suite with 9 people, and you also bring a queen-size air bag with you, you get really nervous.
Long story short, with a flawless plan and great courage, we finally able to get into our suite.
We spent 2 and half hours just for showering. After all, we only had a single bathroom.
We went to Hollywood that day, had a dinner there and rest up for the coming days. We knew we need it..

The next day we went to DisneyLand and California Adventure. In California Adventure, nothing really happened. The ride was not that exciting and standing in line for one hour just to shoot animated paint bullets to animated 3-D targets was frankly a waste of time. But, whatever, I scored pretty high...
In DisneyLand, however, good things happened. I had been there, so I wasn't aiming for the ride, but I really looked forward to the parade and all the decorations. All of the dangers I went through paid off at last.
The parade was great, the music was great, the fake snow was great, the fireworks were half-great (thanks to the wind, we only got to see half of the fireworks display.. SUCKS!!!!)
But the most unforgettable, mesmerizing view there, was the castle. Guys, I have no words to describe the beauty of that castle. I stood there for an hour, just to gaze at the castle. It did make me mellow, and the background music when they lit all the lights on the castle... Speechless..


It's shame I couldn't share that hypnotizing moment with my closest buds. Miss you guys a lot...
If I have a chance, I'll upload the video of the castle when the lights was lit with all the background music. It doesn't have the best quality, but I assure you, it's worth a watch.

Next day, Shopping Day!
We all went shopping, CELEBRITY STYLE!!! Rodeo Drive was one of a kind. Girls, you'll go crazy with your credit card there. It was all branded, but when you're there, you can't leave without buying something. Everything was just too yummy to see. And with all that thanksgiving discount, you have no idea how insane you can get... Swiping your cards here and there...
I, myself, didn't really into the shopping. I looked around crazily, trying to spot any celebrity I recognize. And there she was... LINDSAY LOHAN!!!!
Everyone literally went crazy when they saw her. The crowds and papparazi followed her to every store. I didn't get a chance to take a picture though. Sorry guys...

We ended that exciting day celebrating JC's birthday, the reason we went on this trip in the first place. A great meal at the Castaway after a day of shopping, priceless..

Last day, Check Out Day!
Here's another problem for the trip. First, because we were all still paranoid. We were afraid the receptionist would charge us an extra 1000 dollars because we stuffed that suite with so many people for 3 days. You have no idea how dirty that suite was when we left. Second, because we shopped so hard that the things couldn't fit into the baggage of our cars. I didn't want to leave anyONE behind. Hehehehehe... Fortunately, we managed to get out of that hotel safe and sound, leaving the hotel with some stains from the In-n-Out burgers and animal-style fries we ate for breakfast (It was delicious, hmm...hmmm..). Before we traveled back to the little town of Pleasant Hill, we went back to Rodeo Drive for last minute shopping, as if we could put that plastic bags inside our jeans pockets. Not satisfied yet, we went to 3rd Street, another well-known shopping district in LA.
We spent 5 hours in the car with literally plastic bags all over us.

And on the way home, we missed LA already... =)


*Dedicated to : (In alphabetical order..)
- Andrew : When someone drives for too long in Jakarta and tries to drive in USA for the first time, then you get this crazy dude. Almost killed everybody in the car on Hollywood street; Where is your phone? In Malibu??!!
- Antonia : Strongest nocturnal creature, driving for 5 hours straight without switching.
- Calvina : Bla...bla...bla... babble..babble..babble.. (for 70 miles, on the phone) ; Hello, can I have tissue?
- Claudio : The only guy member of the Hard-Shopper Community; Mr. Mellow.. (uhuk...uhuk...)
- Fiona : Vice Precident of Hard-Shopper Community; Be sad no more. *Peace Out!* ; Crazy driver.
- Jessica a.k.a JC : President of Hard-Shopper Community; No more caffeine before driving; Our Mom through the whole trip.
- Theresia : You kissed a girl and you like it.. ; Traitor!!!!
- Victor : Tell me Quando, Quando, Quando...

Christmas...

My friend woke me up at 11 o'clock... He didn't get any sleep that night... He told me to get prepared for Christmas mass...
I look at the clock, sighing, then rest my head for another 10 minutes...
I just realized... It's Christmas...
In the shower, i got to think what could I do this Christmas...
I got dressed and nothing good crossed my mind that whole time...
I looked at myself in the misty mirror, hadn't clean it for a while... And I thought, I was missing something...
On my way to church, I tried to figure out what's missing... Oh well, I might as well found it out later...

I passed the mass, just singing those christmas carols... Listening to the pastor... saying merry christmas to everybody with a smile...
Wait... that's it...
I usually smile the whole day on Christmas... And not just on the day of Christmas...
Days, even weeks before that... When I practiced many new songs in the choir.... When I decorated my class with my high school mates.. When I had Christmas dinner with my family...

I got through this Christmas just like any ordinary day... sitting in my apartment, joking with my friend, playing some games.... Trying to push those flashing memories away...
Trying to make it as ordinary as possible... Yet I didn't want it to be ordinary...

The next day, a stranger wish me a merry Christmas... He's alone and he was smiling...
I smiled back, the best smile I could give to him...
At that moment, I know I was not smiling for him, I smiled for myself...
Knowing that the joy is always there... I was just too distracted by the fact that everybody could have fun and I couldn't because I was alone... I realized, sharing the joy has only little to do with to whom we share it... It's great if it's someone you know, but it will be a blessing if you can share it with everybody...

From that moment, the smile never leave... It stays the whole day, and I promise myself it will stay there for the rest of this holiday... =)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Everyone!!!!

Have you ever been in love?

"Have you ever been in love? Horrible isn't it? It makes you so vulnerable. It opens your chest and it opens up your heart and it means that someone can get inside you and mess you up. You build up all these defenses, you build up a whole suit of armor, suit of armor, so that nothing can hurt you, then one stupid person, no different from any other stupid person, wanders into your stupid life...You give them a piece of you. They didn't ask for it. They did something dumb one day, like smile at you, and then your life isn't your own anymore. Love takes hostages. It gets inside you. It eats you out and leaves you crying in the darkness, so simple a phrase like 'maybe we should be just friends' turns into a glass splinter working its way into your heart. It hurts. Not just in the imagination. Not just in the mind. It's a soul-hurt, a real gets-inside-you-and-rips-you-apart pain. I hate love".

Neil Gaiman

FYI...

About my previous post, it's not that my road trip is canceled...
We'll still go on that road trip. Yay!!
And because of that, maybe there won't be any posting for a week...
I'm not planning to bring my laptop with me so...
Anyway if I do bring it with me, I won't forget to tell y'all interesting things that will happen in my road trip...
Wish me a safe trip guys!

Did my ears deceive me?

Ok... I just want to meet people who say that United States is the Land of Freedom.
I want to hear the reasons why they say such thing.
And prepare yourself America, I have some counter-arguments for you.

First of all, I need to tell you that for Thanksgiving holiday, my friends and I are going on a road trip to LA tomorrow!!! I hope I can sleep well tonight because, hell yeah, I'm so excited.
Part of this trip is also a birthday celebration for my friend Jessie.. Happy birthday jes!
Preparation is critical so we spent 2 weeks to get everything in the right place.
Places-to-go-to-list....... Checked.
Hotel reservation....... Checked.
Clothes....... Checked.
Cars....... Not Checked, because everyone is under 21 years old. Silly isn't it?

So here's what happened.
My friends tried to rent 2 cars for the road trip. We went to this one place called A**s near our apartment. This is the conversation that happened...

Jessie : Hi, we want to rent a car..
A**s Receptionist (AR) : Sorry, we're all booked for today.
Fiona : No, no, it's not for today. We need it on wednesday through Monday.
AR : Ok, let me check if there's any car available.
Fiona : Actually we need 2 cars.
AR : Is it the regular size you want.
Jessie : Yes.
AR : Okay, so two cars for 5 business days, the total is bla..bla..bla.. I'll need your credit card.
Jessie : Um.. Is it okay if we use debit card?
AR : You can do that, but you need to be at least 25 years old to use a debit card. Is one of you 25 years old or more?
*5 first semester college students stared at each other...*
Fiona : Well, we're college students so... Anyway if we have a credit than everything will be fine right?
AR : Only if one of you is over 21 years old. Who'll be driving?
Jessie : Me and one of my friends.
AR : Are you 21 years old?
Jessie : Well.... *Staring at us, looking for back up*, no.
AR : Oh... I'm sorry, but I'm not allowed to rent you a car if the driver is under aged.

The next few lines are originally spoken in Indonesian, still in front of the AR.
Jessie : So, what are we gonna do? Start lying?
Me : Yeah, just say that the other driver is 21.
Fiona : Ask her if we can deposit money or something for the car.
Jessie : This is starting to get annoying. Why are our ages a problem?

AR : So?
Jessie : Can we like deposit money or something?
AR : No, the only problem is the age. I'm sorry. And even if you have a credit card, you'll be charge 50 dollars extra for each car because you're under 21.
Me : WTF??!!! (Of course I didn't say it out loud.. =P)

This conversation happened at 3 different car rentals.
I thought I decided to study here to taste that freedom that everybody was talking about.

They say Indonesia is a cultural country, with many moralities and stuffs.
The fact that a junior high is allowed to drive without a license in Indonesia, well, I really question the existence of that USA freedom (and Indonesian morals of course... *big smile*).
Facts for Indonesian who thinks that college life in USA is similar to those in movies :
1. You need to show your ID to buy cigarettes (18+) or alcohol (21+)
2. After six months, I never see couples make out in movie theaters (I looked around EVERYTIME).
3. You need to be 21+ to get into a club. There are some 18+ club, but you'll drink a glass of orange juice or a diet soda without a 21+ ID.

So, if you want to taste a happy, full of fun college life, stay away from USA.
I've heard stories from my friends who go to college in Indonesia and they have a WILDER life there. Those movies trick me big time...

Hopes and Regrets

I am staring blankly at my bed, thinking when will I have time to make up my bed...
I am also thinking for how long will I sleep on it until my first trip home since I arrived here, in San Fransisco...
Approximately 8 months...
I never thought that being away from home will be this tough...
Not that I don't like it here.. San Fransisco is a very beautiful city...
Especially when you gaze at the night lights from twin peaks, possibly the highest point in the city.. Can't get enough of that soothing and tranquil feeling


2 months ago, after I saw many wonderful sight in the city, I thought staying here for a little longer will be a cinch.
I have to lick my own saliva.. (Okay, I know it sounds really gross. It has a better sound and meaning in Indonesian =P ).
Giving up this early is such a shame.

I regret my decision to stay here for winter recess.
I didn't realize I miss J-town so much.
I miss my noisy house; my beloved family, my parents, brother, and two little sisters; my friends at school, at church, everywhere.
I miss the sofa at Puri Indah Mall's Starbucks, the grilled chocolate bread at Green Garden Boulevard, and, of course, the noodle at AGOAN (It is to DIE for..).
I know 8 months is not that long. But when you know you'll spend those 3 weeks of recess just sitting in front of your PC, watching YouTube while eating fastfood, you know you've just made a wrong decision... Sad part is, it is my decision...

A month left until the beginning of Christmas holiday. I am doing nothing but looking for activities to do in that 3 weeks of boredom.
Well, it is my first Christmas in USA. After 18 hot Christmases in Jakarta, at least this year will be a "cool" one.
I hope they are planning something great for Christmas at downtown. I don't want to spend Christmas in my apartment, cleaning it.
New Year's Eve is another thing to look forward to I guess. Free fireworks to watch, hmm.... not bad, not bad at all. Many people want to celebrate New Year here. I know my sisters will be jealous.

Well, I guess those 8 months won't be a bummer.
It is going to be less fun without the people I love most, but I guess skype is good enough for now.
Everyone, I miss you guys so much and I hope you miss me too.



P.S. If anyone is spending his/her Christmas away from home too, suggest some activities for me please. FYI, "watching Youtube while eating fastfood" is still in my to-do-list right now. =P

Please be nice... =P

Greetings to everyone in the blogging world.
For the very first post I just want to say hello to everyone.

To be honest I am a newbie in this kind of things...
I express myself better with music so.. please be nice..

My posts will be about... Just wait and see...
Thanks a lot for keeping me company in this virtual world...
Your every visit is thanked by me...